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4.63 AVERAGE
4.63 AVERAGE
happy to report there was no sequel sydrome to be found here.
every aspect was turned up a notch.
action, feelings, plot twists, character development, relationships.
Haily Turner is pushing genre boundaries and making me really excited for the future of fantasy that's also queer and romantic.
now, who do i sell my soul to for the next book?
every aspect was turned up a notch.
action, feelings, plot twists, character development, relationships.
Haily Turner is pushing genre boundaries and making me really excited for the future of fantasy that's also queer and romantic.
now, who do i sell my soul to for the next book?
Rating: 4.25-4.5
Civil Wars are brewing in Maricol and the mind games more involved and betrayals are deeper than anyone can expect. Despite the length it’s fast paced and you’re never quite sure who you can fully trust. Continuing the multi point of view style you can see more and more how each main character’s story impacts the future of Maricol. Whether it’s Blaine trying to walk his path to protect Caris the true Queen of Ashion who does not actually want the path the star gods had laid for her or Soren the warden who knows he’s more but would rather stay with his heart’s desire Vanya the Emperor who must navigate more than the typical mind games of his people. Or Emiralle the only known remaining Rourke a Queen whose assassin lover is helping her set up a way to take over all of Maricol to remake it in her own image. I think this second book elevates the saga both in world building and in story and I’m super excited to see what happens following all the revelations made in this book.
Civil Wars are brewing in Maricol and the mind games more involved and betrayals are deeper than anyone can expect. Despite the length it’s fast paced and you’re never quite sure who you can fully trust. Continuing the multi point of view style you can see more and more how each main character’s story impacts the future of Maricol. Whether it’s Blaine trying to walk his path to protect Caris the true Queen of Ashion who does not actually want the path the star gods had laid for her or Soren the warden who knows he’s more but would rather stay with his heart’s desire Vanya the Emperor who must navigate more than the typical mind games of his people. Or Emiralle the only known remaining Rourke a Queen whose assassin lover is helping her set up a way to take over all of Maricol to remake it in her own image. I think this second book elevates the saga both in world building and in story and I’m super excited to see what happens following all the revelations made in this book.
This book has wrecked me in the most positive way. It was everything I had hoped for and more. I have no words for the emotions I experienced as I was following the plot with its twists and action, needing to know what will happen next. I love all the characters (yes, even the villains, it's such a delight to see despicable villains written in a way that you understand their motivations even if you disagree with them) and my heart broke for all the struggles and pain my favorites had to go through in this book.
I cannot wait to see how all the storylines will conclude in the final book and I hope that my favorite characters will not only survive the brewing troubles but find their happiness!
I cannot wait to see how all the storylines will conclude in the final book and I hope that my favorite characters will not only survive the brewing troubles but find their happiness!
The Emperor's Bone Palace took everything I loved about The Prince's Poisoned Vow and then brought it to the next level. There was amazing character development, political intrigue, meddling gods, betrayal, action, spice. I can't even imagine how amazing book three is going to be as it brings this trilogy to a close.
A few of my favorite things from The Emperor's Bone Palace:
Vanya and Soren - Talk about the ultimate *power* couple (iykyk). There are my favorite couple in the books (followed closely by Blaine and Honovi) and seeing them grow into each other throughout this book, followed by that ending. They better get their happily ever after. Raiah deserves it.
Caris seemed to come more into herself (as the person she was born to be) as this book progressed (really at the end...) and I look forward to seeing more growth from her.
Blaine and Honovi really went through it during this book, but they are both so resilient and devoted to each other.
I am so ready for The Queen's Starfire Throne because I cannot wait to see how it all comes together and, really, I'm ready to spend more time with these characters.
A few of my favorite things from The Emperor's Bone Palace:
Vanya and Soren - Talk about the ultimate *power* couple (iykyk). There are my favorite couple in the books (followed closely by Blaine and Honovi) and seeing them grow into each other throughout this book, followed by that ending. They better get their happily ever after. Raiah deserves it.
Caris seemed to come more into herself (as the person she was born to be) as this book progressed (really at the end...) and I look forward to seeing more growth from her.
Blaine and Honovi really went through it during this book, but they are both so resilient and devoted to each other.
I am so ready for The Queen's Starfire Throne because I cannot wait to see how it all comes together and, really, I'm ready to spend more time with these characters.
Wow.
All the world building that made the first book a slog to get though paid off in spades for the second book. I have never read anything like it - the steampunk / celestial world, the living dead and zombie puppets, the agonizing M/M romance, and the betrayal after betrayal had me in a chokehold by the second half.
I listened to 70% of this and then had to switch to the eBook because I had to glue my face to the words.
I do think this is a bit long in parts, a bit over explained in some, and a bit under explained in others but I’m dying to start the next one so I’m rounding up.
(Also that one
All the world building that made the first book a slog to get though paid off in spades for the second book. I have never read anything like it - the steampunk / celestial world, the living dead and zombie puppets, the agonizing M/M romance, and the betrayal after betrayal had me in a chokehold by the second half.
I listened to 70% of this and then had to switch to the eBook because I had to glue my face to the words.
I do think this is a bit long in parts, a bit over explained in some, and a bit under explained in others but I’m dying to start the next one so I’m rounding up.
(Also that one
I just finished EBP and like book 1, it was fantastic.
As to be expected, the high stakes become higher in this book, which was stressful but also part of the expectation for epic fantasy. The more emotionally attached you are, the more you hate when plot catalysts (moving the plot along) throw a wrench into everything, including character relationships.
It was interesting because in the first book it seemed like the star gods, other than the response to the coup at the beginning of the book, seemed fairly hands off, but in this book there were more “direct intervention” acts by them. We still aren’t 100% sure on their motivations, right? At least 2 of the gods appear to have completely different goals than the other four, if I’m reading things correctly.
I was disappointed to find that the Solarian accent when from being an African English accent to British English. I know that not everyone in Solaria is described dark skinned (someone has blond hair) so I can only assume that it was an intentional choice that Gary Furlong change it. But small inconsistencies like that live rent free in my brain
As to be expected, the high stakes become higher in this book, which was stressful but also part of the expectation for epic fantasy. The more emotionally attached you are, the more you hate when plot catalysts (moving the plot along) throw a wrench into everything, including character relationships.
It was interesting because in the first book it seemed like the star gods, other than the response to the coup at the beginning of the book, seemed fairly hands off, but in this book there were more “direct intervention” acts by them. We still aren’t 100% sure on their motivations, right? At least 2 of the gods appear to have completely different goals than the other four, if I’m reading things correctly.
I was disappointed to find that the Solarian accent when from being an African English accent to British English. I know that not everyone in Solaria is described dark skinned (someone has blond hair) so I can only assume that it was an intentional choice that Gary Furlong change it. But small inconsistencies like that live rent free in my brain
Hailey Turner has done it again! She really is the queen of building huge fully realised worlds that I’m able to perfectly picture. The Emperor’s Bone Palace jumps us right back into the action where book 1 left off. Honovi and Blaine need to catch a break as a couple. They keep ending up apart despite their total love and dedication to each other due to their responsibilities to the cause. I hated Eimarille from almost the beginning but now I can truly say she is evil incarnate. There are so many different things happening with some many characters it could be easy to lose track of it all but Turner does an excellent job moving the story forward in each thread and allows us to see how all these individual stories are weaving together. With so many twists and turns right to the very end, I absolutely cannot wait for the final installment!
Gary Furlong is truly one of my favourite narrators and the ability for him to clearly give each character an accent or inflection so that it is always easy to tell which character is speaking is a gift - especially considering the character list is extensive. 5 stars for everyone!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.
Gary Furlong is truly one of my favourite narrators and the ability for him to clearly give each character an accent or inflection so that it is always easy to tell which character is speaking is a gift - especially considering the character list is extensive. 5 stars for everyone!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this audiobook.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. Wow, what an opening start! The thrilling fates that is faced in this book has you you grumbling and grippling with anticipation as the twist tale unfolds before your eyes. Hailey Turner knows how to bring the drama along with fantastic characters.
That's a way to prove legionnaires are who they claim to be, but then again with the boldness of the Rionetkas it's really not much of surprise. Each house has it issues as shameful it's inner squabbling and pitiful jealousy for greedful gain of power. Is just what Vanya has to deal with while the houses all turn a blind eye to a threat that hangs over all their heads. Joelle plots and plans. Caris and Lore, Blaine and Honovi follow the cogs of orders.. as the royal bloodlines run a muck to destroy all in many different path, bringing the hero's in deadly areas.
That's a way to prove legionnaires are who they claim to be, but then again with the boldness of the Rionetkas it's really not much of surprise. Each house has it issues as shameful it's inner squabbling and pitiful jealousy for greedful gain of power. Is just what Vanya has to deal with while the houses all turn a blind eye to a threat that hangs over all their heads. Joelle plots and plans. Caris and Lore, Blaine and Honovi follow the cogs of orders.. as the royal bloodlines run a muck to destroy all in many different path, bringing the hero's in deadly areas.